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Introduce Yourself
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Hey everyone,
I’m Anthony Shea. I’m currently a Staff Sergeant in the Air Force reserves. I did a four year enlistment active duty from 18-22 as intelligence analyst and my first assignment was Korea and my second assignment was England. I got into the Air Force academy prep school and then the Air Force Academy. I was kicked out six days before graduation. I had a pilot slot, orders, and class start date at Columbus. I was rated as commission able when I was kicked out so I could still commission through OTS. I had to do a mandatory two year active duty enlistment and they made me go back to being an intelligence analyst. After I finished that I joined the reserves as an IMA so I could finish my degree (while I had all of the academic requirements completed at the academy, I didn’t get the degree, but at least all of the credits for all 8 semesters transferred to CSU). Now I work as a Data Scientist as a civilian and a reservist part time. I still want to fly, if possible. I’d like to commission in the guard or reserves and fly part time in any way I can. My major is Physics with a minor in Math.
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Hello everyone!
My name is Dan, and I’ve wanted to be a pilot for a long time, but I got distracted and gave up on my dream in college. Two years ago, my wife was getting ready to go to Air Force OTS as a dentist, so I started researching OTS out of curiosity. It hit me that commissioning into the Air Force and flying is actually an option for me still; it’s not too late!
I am currently 27 years old, have a BS degree in Mechanical Engineering with a pretty good GPA, and am finishing up my MS in Aerospace Engineering with a GPA still above 3.0. I don’t have much flight experience, just 9 hours. The real kicker is that I am living in Misawa, Japan with my wife, as she is active duty here. It’s tough to find any aviation-related engineering jobs here, and even tougher to find a way to fly, but I’m not going to let that stop me.
At the moment, I’m working on getting a job working on the F-35 simulator here. I am finishing my master’s, and going straight into studying for the PPL written test (after a quick trip to Hawaii to celebrate and see some family). Yokota Air Base in Tokyo has an Aero Club where I can take FAA knowledge tests and get connected with an FAA AME here in Japan. My current plan is to take two weeks in the States to stay with my parents and hit the flying hard while I’m there, like double turns for five days a week if possible. I likely won’t be able to finish my PPL this way, but I can get close and just cap it off at Yokota. After the PPL written is done I will move into studying for the AFOQT and TBAS. I can take the AFOQT here and the TBAS at Yokota. Finally, I am about to get involved with the Misawa Civil Air Patrol squadron to spend some time teaching kids about aerospace and engineering. Even if I don’t get picked up, it’s a great use of my time to try to help some kids.
My ultimate goal would be to fly with the FLANG 159th Fighter Squadron in Jacksonville. I’ve been surrounded by F-35s at Eglin and Misawa (the JASDF flies them here) and it’s an absolutely incredible jet. @SLAP your episode of The Afterburn Podcast was very informative, especially the part about the alert mission. I’ve still got a few attempts to apply to fighter squadrons in the Guard and Reserve before I get too old, and if I’m not successful at those then I’ll open my scope up to heavy units and active duty. Strive for perfection, and achieve excellence!
Excited to be here! Looking forward to the hard work it’s gonna take to go down this path. Time to get after it!
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This reply was modified 3 weeks, 5 days ago by daniel-foley.
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This reply was modified 3 weeks, 5 days ago by
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Hello everybody,
My name is Randy I am 30 and currently working as a security guard in the Seattle Area. I graduated from University of Washington with a Physics degree, class of 2020. I am working on completing my Private Pilot’s License and have about 15 hours of flight time. Hopefully, sometime in the nearby future I want to apply for a pilot slot for the Air National Guard.
I don’t have a cliché story on how I wanted to be pilot. I share the same passion for Aviation with many on Bogidope. I don’t want to self-eliminate myself, but I know I have a snowball’s chance in hell in succeeding. Just like everybody else here, I just want to roll the dice and see how far I can go. No harm in trying, right?
I wouldn’t mind serving in other capacities in support of our warfighters, if anybody has information on becoming an officer in the Air National Guard. Please send it my way! To those who will succeed in becoming a pilot, Congratulations!
-Randy N.
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Hi everyone!! New to BogiDope, but the community here looks to be filled with top notch aviators. I am 21 right now, with about one year of community college classes to go, majoring in electrical engineering.
I am looking to enlist in an ANG fighter wing this summer as a crew chief, but I am aware that when the time comes to commission guard pilot slots are highly competitive, and guys coming off of active duty looking for those slots will have a leg up. Is it feasible to do AFROTC once I transfer to a 4-year college, while simultaneously being part time in the guard? I know that ROTC has more pilot slots and I would like to go active duty once I reach that point, so it is quite appealing. Would that workload be manageable? The plan would be to get a DD368 when I am able to commission through ROTC, but I am also aware that would require a cooperative commander. I will also need to get my PPL and rack up hours in this timeframe, which further adds onto my workload. I would likely stick strictly to the ROTC path and skip the guard, but I need the money to cover rent/expenses, and the experience gained with the guard and face time with the pilots is too appealing to pass up. Do any of you more experienced aviators have advice for me in this position? Any input is highly appreciated.
Cheers,
-Pantera
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Hey Brother, love the energy here.
– ROTC is a great way to earn a UPT slot. You’ll fly on active duty until you complete your ten-year service commitment and then you can switch from active duty to the guard.
– Enlisting in a guard unit and then competing for a UPT slot can work out, but in practice, it might not be as direct as you think. Most units have several folks interested in flying and often this means you’ll need to ‘wait your turn’ as a new guy.
– Since it sounds like you’re almost done with your degree, consider getting an OTS pilot contract.
– And of course, you could start applying directly to guard units.
That’s a lot of data, but there’s tons of resources here to help. Check out the webinars pinned above. I posted about this topic “differnts pathways” in the USAF a few days ago – have a look at that. And there are great academics available on the site as well. Lots of good knowledge.
Cheers!
Husky
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Good Morning! My name is Thomas and I have been in the Air National Guard for almost 6 years as an Intel Analyst. Last year, March 2023, I was selected for a pilot slot at the 163FS. I am reaching out to anyone who is currently in the process of applying to Fighter Squadrons and have questions about any part of the process or want to know more about my personal experience so far.
As a brief background, I have my PPL with a little over 100 hours and some aerobatic time as well. Next week I’ll be leaving for OTS/TFOT and I’m excited to take the next step in being a part of the next generation of military aviators.
I am looking forward to talking with ya’ll and wish the best in everyones future endeavors!
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Hello Thomas –
Congratulations on getting picked up! I would love to hear more about your experience so far, especially about how you got in contact with the 163FS and your experiences visiting/rushing. Also, do you feel that the aerobatic time helped you, both personally and for your application? It’s one of the things I am looking at doing myself.
Thanks and congratulations again!
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Greetings Bogidope community! I’m Thomas Edwards, a recent Construction Mgt graduate from Arizona State. I’ve grown up around aviation my entire life with both my parents flying for commercial airlines since before I was born. I earned my PPL in 2020 and currently have over 100 hours TT in addition to being a tailwheel and aerobatics pilot. Going into college in 2020, my career goal was undoubtedly to become a military aviator. During the last few years, I’ve done multiple internships with one of the nation’s top general contractors and signed on full time with them August 2023, effectively getting “tunnel vision” about an extremely financially rewarding career in construction management, drawing me away from aviation. This last December I graduated Co-Valedictorian of my graduating class, and was fortunate enough to take a short break before beginning my full time career in construction management. During that break, I did a full aerobatics course, reintroducing myself to flying and truly opening my eyes to where my true passion and future lies. I then moved to San Diego, project managing a ~$400 million new higher education construction project in La Jolla, CA. Rather quickly, I realized that the construction path, as a career, isn’t what I had originally wanted to do. While it all made perfect sense on paper, it wasn’t what really ignited my flame and passion for life. I thought that at 22 years of age, with aviation experience and nothing holding me back, I should go chase my dreams instead of settling for a steady life in corporate America. Here I am now, coming full circle and pointing my sights again towards military aviation. I’m currently wrapping up my completed application for ANG units while also returning to part 61 flight school to chase a career in aviation regardless of success with Guard units. I’ll begin rushing units asap and I look forward to connecting with everyone on here in the future.
All the best,
Thomas
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Hey everyone,
My name is Rex, I am an active duty air traffic controller within the Air Force. I am aggressively pursuing a commission into the ANG as a pilot or CSO. I am an Oklahoma native and it would be my dream to be able to return to Oklahoma and fly for the guard. BogiDope has been an amazing resource in helping me during this journey. I plan to submit my first application in the near future. I look forward to getting to interact with you all along this journey and learn as much as I can along the way.
V/r,
Rex
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Hello all,
My name’s Mark, I am currently about to reach the four-year mark as an active-duty Army Officer. I come from the Armor world, working with tanks and other tracked vehicles, but I regained a childhood interest in military aviation as I started reaching the critical point of deciding on either a career in the Army or moving on.
I decided to pursue the possibility of flying and I recently submitted three application packets to three different fighter squadrons. I’m waiting on feedback now, hoping for the best. Worst-case scenario, I’ll continue pursuing the route with other squadrons that have positions open up.
My biggest question right now is the process of transitioning from active-duty Army to Air Force Reserve or National Guard. I haven’t gotten a lot of clarity from my chain of command or Army HRC, which I’m continuing to press for. I’m not sure if there is a direct inter-service transfer route, or if it is more along the lines of a release from active duty and recommissioning as an Air Force officer. Are there any readers out there who may have gone through this process?
Let me know through reply or DM. Much appreciated.
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Hey! Douglas Denny here. I’m looking to learn everything I need to know about getting fighter slots coming from a civilian position.
I’m 23 years old with 1800 civilian hours including 365 single pilot turbine. Just had my first daughter and want to chase my dream harder than ever. If anybody has any advice or wants to chat I’m interested! I’m willing to relocate anywhere halfway decent with my family. Right now I’m living in Kenai Alaska.
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I am Beav Klawitter, a new rep for you here at BogiDope.com.
i served on AD as an F-15E WSO (now called CSO).
For those out there looking at age waivers, I entered at age 27 and needed to get an age waiver to apply for UPT.
At the time,’it took a 3 stars’ signature to get the piece of paper off of the base.
I ended up getting the age waiver after about four months of fighting for it. It’s a different process now (easier) but if you need coaching/motivation to never quit…I can offer that IT CAN HAPPEN!
-Beav
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